Electric switch



I June 24, 1930.

C. D. AINSWORTH ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. l8, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet l 4 Sheets-Sheet LQDM c. D. 'AINSWORTH ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 18. 192'! June 24; 1930.

June 24, 1930.- c. D. AINSWORTH.

' ELECTRIC SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 18, 1927 have] for, kIGQMJZ D. M 7015,

Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES CHESTER I). AINSWOBTH, OF WOLLASTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CONDIT ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, OF SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed February 18, 1927. Serial No. 169,361.

This invention relates to electric switches of high interrupting and high current carrying capacity and has for an object a switch which can be arranged to have either a high voltage interrupting capacity and a mod erate current-carrying capacity, or a high current-carrying capacity and a moderate voltage interrupting capacity, as may be desired.

A'further object of the invention is the provision of an electric switch having a plurality of separate groups of cooperating stationary and movable switch members arranged for parallel and also for series inter-connection whereby to condition the switch for high current-carrying capacity and also for high voltage interrupting ca pacity.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a single-pole electric switch having separate groups or sets of cooperating stationary and movable switch members which are immersed in separatebodies of insulating and arc-quenching medium, as oil, whereby to minimize oil disturbance and displacement about the switch and thereby improve the operation of the switch.

Another object is an electric switch having provision for supporting its stationary switch members in either one of two angularly-related positions and in cooperative relation with the cooperating movable switch members.

A further object is a unitary assembly of a truck type switch and a truck type poweroperating mechanism for the switch operat ing mechanism.

A further object is generally to improve the construction and operation of electric switches. v

Fig. 1 is a side view of an electric switch embodying the invention.

Fig. 2'is alongitudinal sectional View of the switch of Fig. 1, the power-operating unit being removed.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the switch frame and illustrating the disposition of the stationary switch members-for high currentcarrying capacity.

- Fig. 4 is aview similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating the disposition of the stationary switch members for high interrupting capacity.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a mechanism-supporting plate.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the switch of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the truck for the power operating means.

Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views showing the groups of stationary and movable switch members of the switch connected for parallel operation and for series operation, respectively.

The single pole electric switch herein shown as embodying the invention is of the truck type and includes a truck carriage 10 having the spaced parallel side rails 12 which are secured to opposite sides of a pair of supporting frames 14 and 16 respectively. Wheels 18 are journalled to the truck carriage and are adapted to roll along a track 20 into and out of a cell in which the switch may be normally positioned.

A switch frame 22 of generally rectangular formation is carried by and is supported rigidly in spaced relation above said truck carriage by means of the vertical rods or posts 24:. The switch frame is removable from the aforesaid relation for the purpose of inspecting the switch components.

The switch is composed of two separate groups or sets of stationary and movable switch members, each set of which is enclosed within a separate oil receptacle. To this end, open top outer or spill receptacles 26 and 28 are secured to the supporting frames 14 and'16 respectively of the truck carriage by bolts 30. The bottom portion of said switch frame 22 is formed with a pair of approximately dome shaped sections which terminate in depending annular flanges or aprons 32 which are received with in and are spaced from the side walls of the spill receptacles, in the upper ends thereof. The upper ends of said spill receptacles are in free communication with the atmosphere. Inner or oil containing receptacles 36 and 38 are disposed within the outer receptacles and are resiliently supported in the aforesaid relation upon compression springs 40 which are carried by the bottom walls of the outer reccptacles. Said inner receptacles are held yieldingly in normal osition again st flanges 42 of the switch rame and within and spaced from the depending aprons-3 2. Both inner receptacles are in free communication with the interior of the switch frame 32 and said switch frame has a relatively large internal volume whereby to provide an unusually great gas expansion space for the switch whereby to keep down internal pressures due to circuit interruption.

As aforesaid, the switch isprovided with two sets of stationary and movable switch members; one set comprises the insulated stationary switch members 44 and the movable switch member 46 and is immersed in the oil contained in the oil receptacle'36. The second set includes the insulated stationary switch members 48 and the cooperating movable switch member 50 and is immersed within the oil contained in the oil receptacle 38. The construction of eachset of stationary and movable switch members is such that the stationary switch members are normally bridged by one or more main bridging or brush members, and sets of stationary and movable arcing members are provided to establish four serially-connected spaced points at which circuit interrupting arcs are adaptedto be established. The construction of the cooperating switch members need not be further described except to point out that certain of the stationary arcing members 52 of each set are fixed to the lower ends of vertically extended insulating supporting pillars 54.

The movable switch members are rov-ided with independent operating mec anisms, and both operating mechanisms are or may be identical in construction and but one need be described. 7 r

The operating mechanism is carried by and extended upwardly above the top face of a mechanism supporting plate 56, the construction of which is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. The plate is of generally rectangular construction and is secured removably at its four diametrically opposed points or corners 58 by bolts 60 to the bottom face of the flange 42 of the switch frame. A pair of-substantially vertical links 62 are pivoted at their lower ends to lugs 64, The u per: ends of said linksare pivoted to the en s of guide links 66, theother ends of which links are pivoted to the u per end of a switch rod 68 which supports .tlie'movable switch member 4.6 at its lower end. A pair of arms 70 are disposed on o posite sides of the longitudinal axis of the switch frame and ad,- jacent .the opposite sides thereof and are integral with a connecting hub 72, which hub is journalled on a pinor rod 74 carried by the opposite sidewalls of the switch frame. The free ends of said arms extend on opposite sides of the switch rod 68 and said links are pivoted at to the upper ends of links 82 fixed to a shaft 84, ournalled in cars 86 of the mechanism su porting plate 56. The arrangement is sucli that when said .links 82 are moved in a counter clockwise direction into the position illustrated in Fig. 2, the movable switch member is moved into switch closed position. An undue overtravel of the tog 1e mechanism is prevented by engagement 0 an abutment 88 of saidlinks 82 by adjustable set screws 90 carried by the switch frame. A to gle mechanism is operated by means inclu in an arm 92 which is fixed to the shaft '84 an is connected through an adjustabletlink 94 with a depending arm 96 keyed to an operating shaft 98, which shaft is extended transversely of the switch frame and is journalled in the opposite side walls thereof and is extended referably in. both directions therebeyond Both movable switch members are adapted to be operated in unison and to this end each shaft 98 has fixed thereto an upstandi arm 100. Said arms are ivotally conn by means of an adjustab e link 102 whereby the movable switch members are operated conjointly. Under-certain conditions of-operation, it is desirable to provide the switch with a relatively great current carrying capacity and with but a moderate voltage interrupting capacity. To this end, I provide means whereby the sets of stationary and movable switch members can readily be connected in parallel so that current through the switch terminals will be divided, part go' to each set of stationary and movable switc members. Under other, conditions of operation, it is desirable to provide the switch with a relativel high voltage interrupting capacity and with moderate current carrying capacit To this end the switch is so arranged t at the sets of stationary and movable switch members can be connected in series thereby doubling the number of serially connected points at which circuit interrupting arcs are drawn, and thus doubling the speed of circuitinterruption and consequently increasing the voltage interrupting capacity. The switch is so arran d that the sets of stationa and move le switch members can readi y be connected either in series or in parallel without the use of special'parts or attachments. To this end, the top wall of the switch frame above the oil receptacles is provided with two rectangular openings which overlap or cross each other at right angles, and the stationary switchmembers are adapted to occupy either of said sets of rectangular open ings. Saidopenings are closed by cover plates 104 and 106 respectively and said cover plates are provided with spaced apertures 108 and 110 inwhich said lnsulatcd stationary switch members 44 and 48 rerespectively through the openings of either of whichsets the stationary switch members are adapted to extend without interference with the switch operating mechanism, as is illustrated by the full line and dotted positions of the stationary switch members in Fig. 5.

The-movable switch members are adapted to be swung about on their supporting rods 68 into proper alignment with the stationary switch members in whichever of the two positions they may be placed and the insulating pillars 54:,- which support certain ofthe arcing members and are carried by t-hemech-anism supporting plates 56 and connected therewith by one of the bolts 60, may also be moved into anyone of two rightangularly disposed positions, whereby to occupy a location in which they can cooperate, with the stationary and movable switch members. When the stationary switch members are in parallel relation with each other, similar switch members are adapted to be connected together as illustrated in Fig.8 thereby to condition the switch for high current carrying capacity. In'this case, either the stationary switch members'tet or the stationary switch members 4C8 constitute the terminals of the switch. WVhen the stationary switch members are arranged in tandem, the innermost switch members of the two sets are adapted to'be connected together and the line terminals are adapted to be connected with the outermost stationary switch members. As thus arranged, the switch is conditioned for high voltage interrupting capacity, and the outermost switch members constitute the terminals of the switch.

The switch is provided with truckcarried electrically-operated closing and opening mechanism which 1s adapted for detachable connection with the switch as a unitary part thereof. The closing and opening mechanism includes massive closing magnet 116 which is supported on top of a frame 118 that in turn is carried by a truck 120, a plan view of which truck is illustrated in Fig. 7 Said truck is provided with wheels 122 which are of the same gauge as the wheels 18 of the switch truck and are supported in line therewith. The mechanism truck 120 is provided with an integral vertical plate or flange 121- at its rear face and the switch truck is provided with a similar vertical plate or flange at its forward plate and said plates are bolted adjustably together by means including the bolts 128 whereby the two trucks are in effect integral and can be moved as a unit, although when the mechanism truck is detached from the switch truck, the mechanism truck and its associated components can be moved about as an independent unit. The closing magnet 116 is connected with suitable operating mechanism including an operating lever 130 pivoted at 182 to the frame 118. A link 134: is pivoted detachably at its lower end to said lever 130 and to its upper end detachably to an arm 186 fixed to the operating shaft 188, which shaft is journalled in brackets 140 carried by the front face of the switch 9 frame 22 and extended transversely thereof. The ends of said shaft may be provided with suitable couplings 142 whereby connection may be made with corresponding operating shafts of other and similar switch units connected with other of a multi-phase circuit. A depending arm 144: is fixed to said shaft 138 and an adjustable link 1&6 is pivotally connected with said shaft and to the lower end of a depending arm 148 fixed to the forward shaft 98 of the switch. The arrangement is such that the energization of the closing magnet 116 causes the angular movement of the shaft 138 and the consequent closing of both sets of movable switch members simultaneously. The switch operating mechanism is provided with selfcontained means to lock the switch closed and means including a tripping coil 150 is provided to cause the switch to open either upon overload or upon remote control.

Means are provided whereby the oil level in the rearn'iost oil containing receptacle 36 may be made lznownby inspection at the front of the switch unit. pipe 152 is ex? ended through a suitable slot in the s'de wall of the spill tank 26 and is carried by and in communication with the oil receptacle 36 below the oil level therein. Said pipe 152 provided with. a pair of oil tigh universal joints 15% so that the oil receptacle can yield without exerting undue stress on said pipe. The forward end of said pipe is supported in a bracket 156 and terminates in an oil gauge 158 disposed in To this end, a

the front of the switch unit in which position it can be readily inspected without pulling the switch from the cell.

he construction may be otherwise modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim: 7

1. A single-pole electric switch having a plurality of sets of electrically-interconnected movable and stationary switch members, separate oil receptacles containing said sets, and a switch frame common to and comprising a cover for said oil receptacles and constituting a common support for said sets, said switch frame characterized by having provision for supporting each of said sets of switch members in either of two angularly related circuit controlling positions.

2. An electric switch having cooperating stationary and movable switch members, a supporting structure therefor, and operating mechanism carried by said supporting structure, said switch members characterized by having provision for occupyin either one of two operative angularly-refined positions on said supporting structure with respect to said operating mechanism.

3. An electric switch having a switch frame, operating mechanism carried thereby, and a supporting structure for said terminals adapted to occupy two operative aniflarly-related positions on said switch ame with respect to said operating mechanism.

4. An electric switch having a switch frame, switch operating mechanism carried by said frame, a supporting plate having means to secure it to said frame in either one of two angularly-related positions thereon with respect to said operating mechanism, and switch terminals carried by said plate.

,5. An electric switch having a switch frame, switch operating mechanism carried by said frame, a supportin plate having means to secure it to said rame in either one of two angularly-related positions thereon with respect to said operating mechanism, switch terminals carried by said plate, and

a movable switch member having provision for cooperating with said terminals in either one of said two angularly-related positions thereof.

6. An electric switch having sets of stationary switch members, and a supporting structure therefor having means for suppprting said sets of stationary switch memrs in parallel relation and alsoin tandem relation with each other.

7. An electric switch having sets of stationary switch members, a supporting structure therefor having nieans for supporting said sets of. stationary switch members in parallel relation and also in tandem relation with each other, each set having a movable switch member cooperating with the stationary switch members, and said movable switch members having means for cooperation with said stationary switchmember in either one of said two positions.

8. An electric switch having stationary switch members adapted to occupy either one of two angularly-related positions, switch operating mechanism, and a movable switch member aving means for operative connection with said operating mechanism in positions corresponding with the positions of said stationary switch members.

9. An electric switch having operating.

members, the stationar switch members of each setcharacterized y havin means'for occupying any one of two angu arly-related positions on said common supporting strum ture, a switch operating mechanism associated with each set of stationaryeswitch members, a movable switch mem r associated with each set and each characterized by having means for connection with its respective? operating mechanism in any one of two angularly-related ositions corresponding with the two positions of the stationary switch members of its set, and ,means for interconnecting the sets of stationary switch members in whichever position they may occupy. h p 11. An, electric switch havingstationary and movable switch members, switch. operating mechanism including a supporting dplate having a plurality of angularly-relate sets of openings therethrough through any setof which said stationary switch members are adapted to be passed, and supporting means for said stationary switch members having means for supporting said switch. members in either one 0 two positions corresponding with said sets of plate-openings. j

12. The combination in an electric switch, of a plurality of oil receptacles, sets of stationary and movable switch members die posed-therein, actuating mechanisms therefor, a switch frame having supporting means for said sets of said stationary switch members, said supporting means being releasably securable in one position for supporting said sets of stationary switch members for parallel interconnection and also in another position for supporting said switch members for series interconnection, and plates mounted in said switch frame for supporting said switch actuating mechanisms having openings therein whereby the stationary switch members in either position may extend through said plates into said receptacles.

13}. An electric switch having a switch frame provided with two openings in the top thereof, mechanism-supporting plates disposed beneath said openings, sets of stationary switch members extended through said frame-openings and through said plates, and cover-plates carrying said sets of switch members having means for attachment with said switch-frame over said open ings in two angularly-related positions, whereby to dispose the switch-member of said sets in either parallel relation or in alignment with each other, said mechanismsupporting plates having means for receiv ing said switch members in whichever position they are disposed.

14:. A truck-type eiectric switch comprising a truck-carriage, a switch frame dis posed'above and carried by said carriage, two similar oil receptacles disposed side by side beneath said switch frame, said switch frame comprising a cover common to both receptacles, means securing said switch frame and receptacles to said carriage, sets of stationary and movable switch members carried by said switch frame and disposed within said receptacles, and means external of said oil receptacles electrically interconnesting said sets of switch members.

15. The combination of an electric switch having a truck-carriage provided with a vertical attaching flange at its forward end, power operating mechanism for the switch having a truck-carriage provided with a vertical attaching flange at its rear end, and means detachably securing said flanges rigidly together.

16. As a unitary assembly, a truck, a plurality of switches carried thereby and having individual switch actuating mechanisms, power operating means for said switches comprising a truck and! power operating mechanism carried thereby, means interlocking said individual switch actuating mechanisms with each other and with said power operating means, and means connecting said trucks together.

17. The combination of an electric switch having a truck-carriage, power operating mechanism therefor having a truck-carriage and including switch closing mechanism having means for being locked releasably in switch-closed condition, releasing means for said mechanism including a tripping solenoid, and means to detachably connect said carriages together.

18. An electric switch having cooperating stationary and movable switch members and means to condition the switch for relatively high current-carrying capacity and moderate voltage interrupting capacity, and also for relatively high voltage interrupting capacity and moderate current carrying capacity, said means including means to vary the relative positions of said stationary switch members.

19. An electric switch having cooperating stationary and movable switch members and means to condition the switch for relatively high current-carrying capacity and moderate voltage interrupting capacity, and also for relatively high voltage interrupting capacity and moderate current carrying capacity, said means including means to vary the relative positions of said stationary switch members, means to operate said movable switch members conjointly, and means to connect said stationary switch members to carry the current in parallel and also in series.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

CHESTER D. AINSWVORTH.

CERTIFICATE OF CURRECTION.

Patent No. 1,765,363. Granted June 24, 1930, to

CHESTER D. AINSWORTH.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed speoitioation of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 30, claim 3, before the word "and insert "switch terminals carried by said frame,'; and that the said Letters Patent should he read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the reeord of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of August, A. D. 1938.

Wm. A. Kinnan, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,765, 363. Granted June 24, 1930, to

CHESTER D. AINSWORTH.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as "follows: Page 4, line 30, claim 3, before the word "and" insert "switeh terminals carried by said trame,"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of August, A. D. 1939.

Wm. A. Kinnan, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

